6 Biggest Reveals From Netflix’s ‘The Making of Stranger Things 5′

by

With everyone still buzzing about the end of Stranger Things Season 5, Netflix released a behind-the-scenes documentary called One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 on January 12, 2026. Many fans had hoped this date would bring a surprise ninth episode, based on a popular theory called “Conformity Gate,” but that didn’t happen. There’s plenty to discuss and analyze, like where Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) might be headed and that incredibly moving final scene in the basement.

The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, have shared some insights about Eleven, Vecna (played by Jamie Campbell Bower), and the overall message of the final season. But with such a huge ending, it’s not surprising there’s even more to the story. The recent “Making of Stranger Things 5” documentary actually revealed some surprising details that fans are still buzzing about. So, settle in with your favorite drink and let’s dive into what we’ve learned.

Fans Are Shocked the Duffer Brothers Wrote ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 in Google Docs


Netflix

We expected the documentary about Stranger Things Season 5 to reveal how Matt and Ross Duffer came up with their ideas, and it did—though not in the traditional way many people imagine. While most picture writers using notebooks or whiteboards, the documentary showed that the Duffer Brothers actually wrote Season 5 using Google Docs.

It’s not surprising that fans reacted strongly to this news. One user, @unllikelyjane, joked that the season should have been written using secure, private software. At the very least, many expected the final season of Stranger Things to be written in a standard program like Microsoft Word, rather than an online platform. While Google Docs is useful for collaboration and sharing, this was a significant season of television, and some felt a more secure method was warranted.

Matt Duffer Made a Joke About Killing Characters in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5


Netflix

Before the final season of Stranger Things was released on Netflix, fans were hotly debating if some key characters would meet their end. The creators, the Duffer Brothers, had said the show wouldn’t be like Game of Thrones in that regard, but many viewers still believed at least one major character should die.

A Reddit user, @StarforgeVoyager, pointed out a funny moment from the Making Of documentary where Matt Duffer jokingly said, “We probably should have killed some of you off. Millie was right.” The user questioned this comment, and it’s understandable the Duffer brothers would talk about potentially killing off characters, given how often fans discuss it. However, the comment didn’t land well with many, likely because they felt the finale needed a more impactful, dramatic death. Had fans been more satisfied with the ending, they might have reacted differently.

Fans Wonder if the Duffer Brothers Used ChatGPT for ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5


Netflix

The biggest surprise from the Stranger Things Season 5 behind-the-scenes look? Fans are wondering if the Duffer Brothers are using ChatGPT to help write the final season. Viewers spotted Matt and Ross Duffer with Reddit and ChatGPT open on their computers in the documentary, sparking a lot of discussion online.

It’s uncertain, but the idea of the Duffer Brothers using AI to write parts of Stranger Things has understandably upset many fans. Given the ongoing debate about AI in creative fields – and the fact that AI hasn’t revolutionized Hollywood as expected – it would be a poor look for the show’s creators. Fans are hoping the story they’ve consistently described wanting to tell comes from genuine inspiration, not AI assistance. While we don’t know why ChatGPT was open on their computers, it’s reasonable that fans would be disappointed to learn it was used for plot points, character development, or even dialogue. Ultimately, people want to believe the story came from the heart.

The Duffer Brothers Didn’t Write the ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Finale Episode Before Filming


Netflix

A surprising revelation from behind the scenes of The Making of Stranger Things 5 is that the Duffer Brothers hadn’t actually written the final episode before they started filming. Matt Duffer explained that…

We started filming without a completed script for the season finale, which was really nerve-wracking. Getting it right was crucial, as it was the most important episode of the season.

The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers, have talked about the challenge of finishing the series. Matt Duffer explained they struggled with balancing fan expectations and still delivering surprising twists. Many viewers were surprised to learn the script wasn’t fully completed before filming began, and feel the Duffer brothers should have finished writing it first. Considering the show is one of the most popular ever, and reportedly cost between $400 and $480 million to produce (according to Puck News via Forbes), it seems reasonable to expect a fully planned-out ending.

However, the creators, the Duffer Brothers, revealed to Deadline that they actually planned Eleven’s ending way back when Stranger Things was originally intended as a single, self-contained season. So, while it might seem odd that they didn’t finish the final script until filming had begun, is it really surprising? They had a clear idea of how the story would end and wanted to take the time to write it perfectly.

How people react to this will likely depend on their opinion of the ending. Those who enjoyed it will probably feel the creators made the right choice by taking their time. But if you had issues with the finale, you might question why those problems weren’t addressed after so much work went into it.

Maya Hawke Noticed a Robin/Vickie Plot Hole


Netflix

A standout scene from the final season of the show involves Robin (Maya Hawke), Max (Sadie Sink), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Vickie facing off against Demodogs in a laundry room. Maya Hawke suggested to director Shawn Levy that it would be good to subtly hint at the romantic relationship between her character, Robin, and Vickie. She specifically noted that Caleb McLaughlin, who plays Lucas, wasn’t aware of their characters’ relationship, and that could be reflected in the scene.

Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper Stranger Things scoops

Craving deeper takes on those behind-the-scenes reveals? Subscribe to the newsletter to read extended analysis, fan reactions, and production context about Stranger Things and similar TV coverage—perfect for readers who want more than headlines.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s
Terms of Use
and
Privacy Policy
. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Some viewers have pointed out inconsistencies in the plot of Stranger Things, like the fact that Joyce Byers never mentions going to high school with Henry Creel. Another surprising detail is that many characters didn’t seem aware of the relationship between Robin and Vickie. These kinds of overlooked details can disrupt the viewing experience and make people question the story, which explains why some fans were caught off guard by them.

One Writer Wanted More Demogorgons in the ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Abyss Scene


Netflix

Paul Dichter, a writer for Stranger Things, hinted that the show’s final episode would feature significant threats, stating, “There have to be some monsters in the Abyss.” One Reddit user, @Defiant-Raspberry-52, pointed out that Dichter seemed to be voicing what many viewers were already feeling. Given that Dichter penned Season 5, Episode 4, “Sorcerer” – a standout episode known for revealing Will Byers’ (Noah Schnapp) abilities – his comments about the finale are particularly insightful.

While many enjoyed the finale, most probably felt the final fight with Vecna wasn’t as exciting as it could have been. The creators suggested viewers were tired of seeing monsters, but that doesn’t seem to be the real issue. Adding more Demogorgons to the battle might not have pleased everyone, but the lack of monsters definitely left a lot of viewers disappointed. It would have made the climactic scene much more thrilling.

Read More

2026-01-13 23:06